From the April 2007 issue

State Plan Boosts Opportunities to Enjoy Outdoor Activities

Governor Eliot Spitzer recently released a comprehensive plan to boost outdoor recreational activities and stimulate upstate economic revitalization.

Complementary Goals

"Good stewardship of the environment, enjoyment of the outdoors, and enhanced economic activity are complementary goals," Governor Spitzer said. "My outdoor agenda seeks to promote all three with multi-year investments."

Spitzer's agenda focuses on four major areas: Improving Access; Respect for the Outdoor Tradition; Environmental Stewardship; and Economic Growth. Specific initiatives in each category include:

New York's extensive trail system will improved through the creation of new hiking trails

Improving Access

Use increased funds from an expanded bottle bill to create new fishing sites, boat launches and hiking trails, and
Support landowner liability legislation that will encourage more property owners to allow hunting, fishing and other recreational opportunities on their property.

Respect for the Outdoor Tradition

Consult with hunting groups before any new gun law is proposed;
Work with hunting and fishing groups to reverse the trend of declining hunting and fishing license sales, and
Upgrade existing DEC fish hatcheries.

Environmental Stewardship

Add 109 new staff to DEC to better enforce environmental laws to protect air, land and water.

Upstate Economic Revitalization

Focus the "I Love New York" campaign to effectively promote outdoor activities, such as hunting, fishing and skiing, and
Upgrade DEC campgrounds and summer camps.

Outdoor Recreation's Economic Importance

Fishing and hunting comprise a $100 billion industry in New York State

Outdoor recreation plays an important role in the nation's economy. Hunting and fishing generates $100 billion in annual revenues and employs 2.6 million people.

The governor's outdoor agenda was announced by State Assemblyman Alexander "Pete" Grannis at a recent meeting of the New York State Conservation Council. Mr. Grannis is Spitzer's nominee for the post of Department of Environmental Conservation commissioner and an avid fly fisherman who grew up hunting and fishing with his family in the Midwest.